The word '''amen''' (Hebrew: אָמֵן; "so be it; truly") is a declaration of affirmation found in the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]] Scriptures. It has been adopted in Orthodox Christian worship as a concluding formula for [[prayer]]s and [[hymn]]s. Common English translations of the word ''amen'' include: "verily," "truly," "so be it," and "let it be."

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The word '''amen''' (Hebrew: {{Hebrew|אָמֵן}} "so be it; truly") is a declaration of affirmation found in the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]] Scriptures. It has been adopted in Orthodox Christian worship as a concluding formula for [[prayer]]s and [[hymn]]s. Common English translations of the word ''amen'' include: "verily," "truly," "so be it," and "let it be."

==Biblical usages==

==Biblical usages==

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#A final ''amen'', with no change of speaker, as in the subscription to the first three divisions of the [[Psalter]] and in the frequent doxologies of the New Testament [[Epistle]]s.

#A final ''amen'', with no change of speaker, as in the subscription to the first three divisions of the [[Psalter]] and in the frequent doxologies of the New Testament [[Epistle]]s.

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The uses of ''amen'' ("verily") in the [[Gospels]] form a peculiar class: they are initially stated, but often lack any backward reference. Jesus used the word to affirm his own utterances, not those of another person, and this usage was adopted by the Church. The liturgical use of the word in apostolic times is attested by the passage from 1 Corinthians cited above, and [[Justin Martyr]] (in the mid-second century) describes the congregation as responding "amen" to the benediction after the celebration of the [[Eucharist]]. Its introduction into the [[baptism|baptismal]] formula (in the Orthodox Church it is pronounced after the name of each person of the [[Holy Trinity|Trinity]]) probably occurred later.

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The uses of ''amen'' ("verily") in the [[Gospels]] form a peculiar class: they are initially stated, but often lack any backward reference. Jesus used the word to affirm his own utterances, not those of another person, and this usage was adopted by the Church. The liturgical use of the word in apostolic times is attested by the passage from 1 Corinthians cited above, and [[Justin Martyr]] (in the mid-second century) describes the [[congregation]] as responding "amen" to the benediction after the celebration of the [[Eucharist]]. Its introduction into the [[baptism|baptismal]] formula (in the Orthodox Church it is pronounced after the name of each person of the [[Holy Trinity|Trinity]]) probably occurred later.

In the King James Version of the Bible, the word ''amen'' is preserved in a number of contexts. Notable ones include:

In the King James Version of the Bible, the word ''amen'' is preserved in a number of contexts. Notable ones include:

Latest revision as of 12:05, April 26, 2013

The word amen (Hebrew: אָמֵן

"so be it; truly") is a declaration of affirmation found in the Old and New Testament Scriptures. It has been adopted in Orthodox Christian worship as a concluding formula for prayers and hymns. Common English translations of the word amen include: "verily," "truly," "so be it," and "let it be."

A final amen, with no change of speaker, as in the subscription to the first three divisions of the Psalter and in the frequent doxologies of the New Testament Epistles.

The uses of amen ("verily") in the Gospels form a peculiar class: they are initially stated, but often lack any backward reference. Jesus used the word to affirm his own utterances, not those of another person, and this usage was adopted by the Church. The liturgical use of the word in apostolic times is attested by the passage from 1 Corinthians cited above, and Justin Martyr (in the mid-second century) describes the congregation as responding "amen" to the benediction after the celebration of the Eucharist. Its introduction into the baptismal formula (in the Orthodox Church it is pronounced after the name of each person of the Trinity) probably occurred later.

In the King James Version of the Bible, the word amen is preserved in a number of contexts. Notable ones include: